Diabetes can present puzzling symptoms. In some cases, the common symptoms may not show up. diabetes symptoms may not be constant. Similar symptoms may be signs of other diseases. However, there is a common set of signs that generally signal the disease.
A typical symptom of diabetes is excessively frequent urination. The primary definitive symptom of diabetes is an excess of glucose in the blood. In Type 1 diabetes the body fails to produce sufficient insulin to process glucose, while in type 2 diabetes insulin is not used properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the body tries to eliminate extra glucose through urination. The kidneys filter out some extra sugar, but they cannot remove it all. Glucose is then excreted as waste from other metabolic processes.
Losing liquid through urination and other metabolic processes makes the diabetic extremely thirsty. Without treatment, diabetics may feel continual thirst. The thirst remains, no matter how much liquid is consumed. The excess liquid causes yet more frequent urination.
Another common and possible symptom is continual fatigue. Since insulin isn’t performing its role properly by aiding the cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream, the diabetic may feel tired. Glucose is the major source of energy for powering an enormous variety of the body’s functions from cell repair to major muscle movement.
But other body systems can be affected by diabetes and show up as symptoms.
Age and other conditions can cause blurry vision. As we age, the lenses of our eyes lose their elasticity, making focusing more difficult. This is called presbyopia. Vision problems related to diabetes, are more damaging than simple age related changes.
High blood sugar levels reduce fluid in the tissues, including those of the eye and in particular the lenses. That affects your ability to focus. When the disease becomes more advanced it can cause new blood vessels to form in the retina. That again affects your vision. Though in this circumstance, the result is more often seeing dark spots or flashing lights, or rings around room lights.
In some instances, cuts (particularly on the feet) may be slower to heal when a person has type 2 diabetes. The reasons are not yet fully understood, but it is one more indicator. At the same time, the immune system is affected, leading to a lowered ability to fight off infection.
Since so many of these symptoms can be (and are) produced by a number of other conditions, the best course of action if you suspect you have diabetes is to seek a professional diagnosis. Simple blood tests can determine with a high degree of confidence whether or not you do in fact have the disease. They’re relatively painless and most are covered by ordinary health insurance.
